Walks & rides

On two feet, four hooves or a set of wheels? There are ample routes to explore and enjoy the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Ready to ramble? There are collections of walks around Chard, Hemyock, Stockland and Upottery, walks in the north eastern and south western Blackdown Hills. For guided walks take a look in our events calendar.

Please note: not all of our walks are listed on our new website yet, but we'll be adding more very soon!

Use the hashtag #blackdownramble to share and read about walks and rides in the Blackdown Hills.

17 Walking routes found in the Blackdown HIlls AONB

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Chard to Chaffcombe

An easy-to-follow walk through some attractive and interesting countryside. There is one hill to climb, but the subsequent view is outstanding. The route starts from the nature reserve car park at the end of Oaklands Road.
One of six circular walks in and around Chard - walk 1

An easy-to-follow walk through some attractive and interesting countryside. There is one hill to climb, but the subsequent view is outstanding. The route starts from the nature reserve car park at the end of Oaklands Road.

Chard to Wambrook

A constantly undulating walk through typical Blackdown Hills scenery. Most of the route is on footpaths and bridalways, with small sections of quiet lanes.
One of six circular walks in and around Chard - walk 2

A constantly undulating walk through typical Blackdown Hills scenery. Most of the route is on footpaths and bridalways, with small sections of quiet lanes.

Combe St Nicholas to Whitestaunton

This triangular route, is reasonably demanding, but rewards the walker from start to finish with a range of delightful scenery and some superb wide views. Starts and ends at Combe St Nicholas.
One of six circular walks in and around Chard - walk 4

This triangular route, is reasonably demanding, but rewards the walker from start to finish with a range of delightful scenery and some superb wide views. Starts and ends at Combe St Nicholas.

Chard to Combe St Nicholas

Please do not be put off by the length of this walk. It is an absolute pleasure, combining many footpaths and quiet lanes. The scenery and surroundings are attractive throughout and the hilly sections are not too demanding. The route is described from the starting point of Chard Museum.
One of six circular walks in and around Chard - walk 5

Please do not be put off by the length of this walk. It is an absolute pleasure, combining many footpaths and quiet lanes. The scenery and surroundings are attractive throughout and the hilly sections are not too demanding. The route is described from the starting point of Chard Museum.

Chard to Chardstock

The walk to Chardstock is delightful and contains a wide variety of scenery. The return, on quiet lanes, provides good views in all directions.
The route is described from the starting point of St Mary's Church, Chard.
One of six circular walks in and around Chard - walk 6

The walk to Chardstock is delightful and contains a wide variety of scenery. The return, on quiet lanes, provides good views in all directions.

The route is described from the starting point of St Mary’s Church, Chard.

Hemyock to Culmstock Beacon

From the edge of Hemyock, through Culm Davey and Blackdown Common, on to Culmstock Beacon and back. The best part of the walk is from Whitehall. One of six circular walks in and around Hemyock- walk 1

Starting from Millhayes as described, this walk is about 11km (7 miles) long. The walk is from the edge of Hemyock, through Culm Davey and Blackdown Common, on to Culmstock Beacon and back. The best part of the walk is from Whitehall; if you start from here, the walk is just over 7km (4.5 miles). There is a place to park cars on Withy Lane about 0.5km west of Whitehall.

Hemyock to Wellington Monument

A strenuous 9km (5.5 mile) walk, well rewarded with lovely views of the Culm Valley looking west and spectacular views of the Quantocks and beyond from the Wellington Monument.
One of six circular walks in and around Hemyock- walk 2

A strenuous 9km (5.5 mile) walk, well rewarded with lovely views of the Culm Valley looking west and spectacular views of the Quantocks and beyond from the Wellington Monument.

Hemyock to Owleycombe

A fairly gentle 4.5 km (3 mile) walk with lovely views across to Culmstock Beacon and beyond. This walk can be linked to the Hemyock to Culm Valley route (walk 6) to give a combined length of 7km (4.5 miles). One of six circular walks in and around Hemyock- walk 5

A fairly gentle 4.5 km (3 mile) walk with lovely views across to Culmstock Beacon and beyond. This walk can be linked to the Hemyock to Culm Valley route (walk 6) to give a combined length of 7km (4.5 miles). One of six circular walks in and around Hemyock- walk 5

Godford Cross to a place that belongs to Canada!

Setting off from Godford Cross, just west of Awliscombe, along a picturesque valley road. Climb into the hills to enjoy the views before returning on a scenic bridle path. One of a series of six walks in the south western Blackdown Hills – Walk 1

This walk starts in a lovely valley road and climbs into the hills, before returning on a scenic bridle path.

Enjoy delightful views across to Hembury Hillfort and you can pay a visit to Wolford Chapel along the way.

Wolford Chapel, burial place of John Graves Simcoe, first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, was donated to the people of Ontario in 1966. Within the Chapel there area fine examples of Jacobean workmanship.

Park just off the A373 at Godford cross, just west of Awliscombe.

One of a series of six walks in the south western Blackdown Hills – Walk 1

Broadhembury and North Hill

A superb walk with magnificent views and the special atmosphere of this picturesque village. Starts with a climb, then a flat section and finally a good downhill stretch.

A superb walk with magnificent views and the special atmosphere of the picturesque village of Broadhembury. Starts with a climb, then a flat section and finally a good downhill stretch.

Broadhembury is a well-preserved medieval estate village dating from the 13th century, although most of the existing houses date from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The village has changed very little over the centuries.

St Andrews, Broadhembury’s parish church, was consecrated in 1259. It has a tower dating from 1480. Church Gate is probably the oldest house. In is time it served as the priest’s house, a poor house, a reading room and a schoolroom. There is also an Art Nouveau house, opposite the church, which was built at the turn of the 20th century.

The walk will take you from Broadhembury up North Hill to the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club field, with a chance to enjoy views across to Hembury Hillfort and back towards the village.

Refreshments are available at The Drewe Arms and the local shop and tea room in the old vicarage.

Parking in the village centre.

One of a series of six walks in the south western Blackdown Hills – Walk 3

Horner Hill & the English Channel

Stroll through the turbary on Horner Hill to enjoy resplendent views of the Corry valley and beyond to the English Channel at Axmouth.
One of a series of six walks near Stockland – Walk 2

This walk, on the easterly side of the parish close to Dalwood village, takes a circular route on paths and country lanes. Stroll through the turbary on Horner Hill to enjoy resplendent views of the Corry Valley and beyond to the Channel at Axmouth.

There is also a chance to visit Beckford Bridge on the River Yarty — a packhorse bridge long used by travellers and livestock before the days of vehicles.

Some flat sections but some fairly steep ascents and descents — some sections can be muddy.